The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Mustapha Shehuri, has called for the adoption of Climate Smart Animal Agriculture strategies to address environment issues while ensuring improved productivity, enhanced resilience, and reduced GreenHouse Gas Emissions.
He said this will also promote food and nutritional security with emphasis on safe food to meet Sustainable Development Goals.
This is even as Nigeria marks the first ever World Animal Days.
Shehuri while declaring the occasion open in Abuja on Tuesday said the commemoration of the World Animal Days reminds all to examine the current animal husbandry practices in relation to the environment in the ever-changing climate situations with the view to adapting and mitigating its effects for increased profits in livestock businesses.
He said with regards to the unique concern of the country, the theme for this year’s celebration, “Good Animal Husbandry Practice, Is Climate Smart” offers opportunity to draw the attention of practitioners and other stakeholders to the importance of Good Animal Husbandry Practices in Climate Change discourse globally.
He said the days offer an opportunity to celebrate and embrace all animals including farm and non-farm animals and their unique concerns and care requirements in every country.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Climate Smart Animal Husbandry is meant to address environment issues while we sustainably improve productivity, enhance resilience to changing climate, reduce or eliminate greenhouse gases (GHG), promote food and feed security and upscale to meet developmental goals.
“The commemoration of the World Animal Day beckons us to examine our animal husbandry practices in relation to the environment in the ever-changing climate situations with the view to adapt and mitigate its effects as we strive for productivity, profitability of production and the associated businesses.
“Today being the maiden edition of our commemoration of the World Animal Day and going forward in the coming years we hope to upscale, expand and make it all inclusive for all stakeholders.
The director, Department of Animal Husbandry Services, Mrs Winnie Lai-Solarin, said the mission of the World Animal Day is to raise awareness, sustainability and profitability of animal production.
